| 9/27/2025 | Football | Box Score BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic football team opened American Conference play with a 55-26 loss to Memphis at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Saturday evening. Facing a team receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Owls (1-3, 0-1) built a first half lead over the Tigers (5-0, 1-0) and found themselves within one score in the fourth quarter before their American foe pulled away. FIRST HALF After conceding an opening-drive touchdown on defense, the Owls responded right back with one of their own. Redshirt junior QB Caden Veltkamp commanded the 75-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a ball down the sideline to redshirt junior WR Easton Messer that went for 35 yards. Facing a 4th-and-goal on the one-yard line, Veltkamp took it in himself to even the score at 7-7. In the second quarter, a 13-play drive culminated in a 10-yard jet sweep touchdown from redshirt junior WR Jayshon Platt to give Florida Atlantic a 13-10 lead. The Owls added a field goal for a 16-10 advantage before a late Tigers touchdown sent FAU to the locker room trailing by one. SECOND HALF The Tigers struck first in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown to extend the lead. A 50-yard haul from Messer set up redshirt senior K Garrison Smith’s second field goal of the game, cutting the deficit to 24-19, before Memphis added another touchdown late in the third to build a double-digit lead. Momentum shifted in the fourth when redshirt junior LB Leon Hart took down the Memphis quarterback for a sack and forced a fumble in the process, subsequently picked up by junior LB Khmari Johnson and returned 26 yards. The Owls capitalized with a touchdown run from redshirt sophomore RB Xavier Terrell to bring the score to 31-26 with just over 10 minutes to go before four consecutive scores in favor of the Tigers closed the game. OFFENSE Messer set his collegiate career high with 131 receiving yards. His 50-yard catch was the Owls’ longest play of the season. In addition to his rushing touchdown, Platt’s nine receptions mark a career high. He joined Messer in the 100+ club with 101 yards. With 318 passing yards, Veltkamp is the first FAU quarterback since 2019 to throw for 300+ in three consecutive games. DEFENSE Hart Jr. logged 11 tackles, his second double-digit game of the season.Redshirt senior DB Dillion Williams added seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. A timely pass deflection came from redshirt sophomore DB Derrick Rogers Jr., thwarting a touchdown pass. POSTGAME AUDIO Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley Redshirt Junior QB Caden Veltkamp Junior LB Khmari Johnson Redshirt Junior WR Jayshon Platt PHOTO GALLERY Gallery: (9-27-2025) Memphis at Florida Atlantic UP NEXT Florida Atlantic will hit the road for a visit to Houston, facing Rice (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball. |
